objeto determinado!!

me and high school friends at a wedding

One step down, a few more to go! My objeto determinado came in the mail yesterday, which is my temporary visa to come back to Bolivia and start the process of my one year visa. I was worried about this step, wondering if I'd even make it back on the plane to Bolivia in August. Once I arrive in La Paz, the next victory will be if immigration there honors my temporary visa and allows me to travel on to Cochabamba. My objeto will allow me to apply for a year work visa, which I hope to receive by late September or early October. Keep praying, as the journey is far from over.

visiting the grandparents... Yay!

Here are just a few snippets of my life since being back. I have been able to experience so many rich parts of my life here in the States. It's been such a joy to deepen friendships, rejuvenate relationships, and to soak in all that the Colorado mountains hold.

climbing a 14er

backpacking w/ Collin & Ryan

camping in the high desert

on the way to Spokane

hanging out with my cousin Joel

May our Lord and Savior hold each and every one of you in His grace, resting in the peace that comes only from trusting in Him.
Katie

Yay for Colorado!

Andreina & me

I made it back to the States, safe and sound. For the first time, I felt like I was leaving home to come to Colorado, instead of the other way around. Right before I came home, I got to go on one last backpack trip with my closest friends (see pic w/ Andreina). It was a great way to say goodbye, with guitar and singing around the fire, sleeping under the stars and pine trees, and then making another wathiya (the earthen oven w/ potatoes) before breaking camp.

Reynaldo & Humberto
Andreina, Briseyda & me

Those same friends came over my last day in Bolivia to share a meal with me (see above pic), and then just blessed me with their friendship and presence. They gathered around me and prayed for my time home, said lots of "Kati, no te vayas..." (Katie, don't go), and just overwhelmed me with their love and care. A few hours later, I got on an overnight bus to La Paz, along with my friend and pastor, Charito, who decided to come the 7-8 hours with me just to keep me company. I was overflowing with gratitude for the ways God came alongside me to gently lead me to the plane home.

the smoggy view I miss...

I cried as I flew away, feeling the tension of leaving my home to go home. Now, writing from the mountains of Colorado, I feel homesick for the mountains of Cochabamba. I even miss the bumpy trufi rides and the smog that hangs low over the city in the mornings! Pray for my heart in these next 2 months, as I learn to let God teach me in the now, and as I seek to live in the present, leaving the past and the future where they belong.

For those of you who are still around in Spokane, I plan to come up 4th of July weekend, and will stay through the 10th or 11th of that week. I'd love to see as many people as I can, so let me know if you'll be around.

Women's Co-op Items:

handmade pillows ($7.50)

handmade pillows
w/o and w/ borders ($9 & $10)

handmade bracelets ($1.50)

handwoven headbands ($3.50)

handwoven headbands ($3.50)

These are all items I brought back from Bolivia from the women's co-op that have not yet been purchased. If you are interested in buying any of these items, please let me know and I can either send them to you, or bring them to you! The only items that I have more of than what is shown in the pictures are the headbands and the colored/black pillows.

See most of you soon!
Katie

P.S. If anyone would like to write me while I'm home, my address is:
Katie Stewart
745 Sebree Place
Carbondale, CO 81623

Home, I think!

After weeks of uncertainty, frustration, and endless waiting, it sounds like I finally got my answer about coming home this summer. Whether it's the Bolivian government or my school that has gotten in the way of my visa process, that much is unclear. What is clear is that I would have a very difficult time getting a visa with my current situation, and would probably not get my visa until August or September.

My bosses have decided to start all over. They are sending me home for the summer, paying my 4 months of illegal fines, and hoping that I can re-apply for another objecto determinado (my ticket to apply for a work visa) when I'm home. There is some concern that I won't be allowed back in the country, or that I'll still run into problems when I try to get my visa again in the fall, but I have to just put all those "what-ifs" in God's hands and trust that He will continue to provide a way for me to live in my home here in Bolivia.

I'M COMING HOME JUNE 11th!I fly out of La Paz at 7am and get into Denver at 8pm next Thursday. I'm excited, anxious, and a little sad to be leaving my other home for 2 months.

Since I'm coming home, I'd love to connect my loved ones at home with my loved ones here. The women's co-op I've helped start has since taken off, and the women have made some beautiful items. Below are pictures of what we currently have made with their prices. The money paid for each item is broken down into these percentages: 25% for co-op (used for communal materials, needs in the women's community, etc.) 15% for the church (my church, Elohim), and 60% for the women. The percentage the women receive is more than double what they would receive working for a local artisan shop here.

If you are interested in purchasing one of the items you see here, please let me know in the next week (before I leave) and I can bring it back with me. The only items we have more of than what you see are the headbands. The headbands come in those 6 colors, but some come in smaller sizes than others, so be sure to specify what size you want: kid, small or medium.

6 placemats. handsewn. ($18.50)

handmade alpaca scarfs. natural colors. ($14.50)
handsewn coin purse. ($2.25)

size of bracelets.
handwoven bracelets. ($1.50)

handwoven headbands. ($3.50)

handwoven headbands. ($3.50)

Totora

Totora, the campo village we visited

A few weekends ago, Charito (my pastor) invited me to go with her psychology class to the campo, where they were going to do a study of the indigenous Quechua culture there. She thought it would be a good chance for me to practice my Quechua, but for both of us, it was just a good chance to spend the day together, and to grow in our friendship.

more of Totora

Charito is in her mid-30's, and was widowed about 5 years ago. Además, she is Bolivian, through and through, but that doesn't seem to keep us from connecting on a deep level. Charito is becoming my closest friend in Bolivia, and it has made an incredible difference to have someone here who gets me, who wants to spend time with me, who will listen to what's going on in my heart, and who will encourage me/hold me accountable in my faith. If I do indeed stay after this next year, we've even talked about living together. God's grace and provision in my life is overwhelming and fulfilling.

Our time in the campo was good, too. I am advancing a lot in my Quechua, although it is still hard to talk. When we were in Totora, I understood about 70% of the conversations Charito and Julieta had in Quechua with the campesinos. I practice several times a week with my Bolivian friends from church who speak Quechua, and am able to have basic conversations. Qheshwata yankashani!

Julieta (Charito's friend), Charito and me

The year is coming to a close, with less than 2 weeks left. I love my kids, and I have enjoyed being a teacher this semester, but I am really ready for a break. I'm told that I will be teaching second grade next year, alongside my housemate Ann. I'm trying to hold it lightly, as everything here seems to change on a whim, but I'm looking forward to teaching my favorite grade, if it does indeed work out.

my kiddos right before a concert at school

Speaking of things changing quickly, it's not looking so good for my visa. I was supposed to go with my lawyer almost two weeks ago to submit my paperwork to immigration. When I talked to her a week ago, she said there were still 4 more steps I was unaware of, but she assured me I would have my passport in to immigration by Monday. It's Thursday, and still no word. I have 3 weeks left until I had hoped to fly home, and my paperwork will take a minimum of 10 days in immigration once submitted. Mathematically, it could still work, but it'd hard to know when things don't seem to be moving forward.

I'm ok. I feel at peace with whatever doors open or close for my summer, and would be content to stay in Bolivia this summer. Even though I'm ok with either option, I think I'm supposed to come home this summer. There are several compelling relationships and reasons to come home, but I have to trust that if it doesn't work out, God will give me other opportunities to work on those relationships. Just pray that God's will will be done.

I'd also appreciate prayers for my friend Rosalia. She is the mature 13-year-old that I've been friends with for 3 years. Rosalia is going through a rough patch in her life, and has chosen to confide in me and no one else. I feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of guiding her through some difficult choices, but would run the risk of losing her trust if I looked for outside help. Pray that God would speak through me, and would give her wisdom.

me and Rosalia at church

I am grateful for your presence in my life. My community at home is what frees me to be who I am here, and gives me the foundation to build on in my new community. Praise God for creating us as relational beings!

Kati

Up to the Mountain...

Franz, me and María at Frutillar

The latest on the visa situation is that I will supposedly have my visa in 2 weeks. I met with my lawyer, and apparently all that is left is to submit my paperwork to immigration, which then means a 10 day review process. My plan, if I am indeed able to come home, is to fly home the first week in June, and to return sometime before the 9th of August, which is when I have to be back in Cochabamba for school in the fall. Thanks for your prayers, and I'll be sure to tell you when I have visa in hand!

me, Miguel, Humberto, Reynaldo, Mauricio,

Andreina, Ariel, Javier & Gabriel
some of the gang in my living room

Peace. It's something that has become a theme in my life here. I am thinking pretty seriously about staying here long term. I suppose it has always been in the back of my mind to stay, but the pieces are beginning to fall into place. In the last month, God has really confirmed several aspects of my life here, showing me how He is calling me to these people, how purposeful my life is here, and how much I truly feel at home here.

Rosalia and me

A week ago, I was walking in the cancha with my pastor, and she gave me the best compliment ever. She told me that she doesn't see me as an American, or even a foreigner. She told me that I just seem like another Bolivian friend, that I'm easy to talk to, and she often forgets that she's with a gringa. Last Monday, I was walking home with my guy friends from church, and they told me I was turning into a Bolivian, in the way I talk, the things I enjoy, and the way I act. They were thrilled that I was so much like them, even teasing me that all I was missing was a Bolivian man to stay forever. I'm not exactly sure why it thrilled me so much to have these friends affirm my assimilation into their culture, but I think it's because I long so much to be a part of them as people, to experience their lives on a deeper level, even though I know I will never really be able to live in true solidarity with them.

we made a wathiya

Friday was Labor Day in Bolivia, so we all had the day off. My church decided to spend the day in the mountains, fasting, praying, and focusing on community. 15 of us went up the mountain behind my house and spent most of the day in the forest. We worshiped together, both in Spanish and Quechua, broke into small groups to pray, especially for our neighborhood and country, did dramas on the importance of prayer, and then broke fast together with a traditional meal.

our traditional Quechua meal

Two of the Quechua ladies with us dug a hole in the ground and cooked our potatoes in an oven called a wathiya, basically hot rocks and earth, heated by coals. They dumped the cooked potatoes in the middle of the circle where we were sitting, and we each grabbed a potato with our hands, peeled it, and dipped it in a traditional spicy peanut sauce. It felt almost like a communal breaking of bread. We laughed, ate lots, and acted like a big family.

some of my closest friends from church

The most compelling part of my life here in Bolivia is my church family. I have never experienced the body of Christ on such a deep and holistic level. What a gift, what a treasure, what a JOY.

I leave you with some beautiful Quechua worship...

Kati

worshiping in Quechua

A Visit and several Adventures

starting our hike...

My good friend Ryan from college came down to visit the week before my spring break, which was a fun break from the normal routine. We got to go on lots of adventures, but the best one was a hike through the Andes above my house. The mountains above my house are filled with adobe or rock huts, subsistence farmers, and lots of traditional Quechua living that has been preserved for years. It was fascinating and intriguing for me to enter into their world and get a glimpse of what was, hundreds of years ago.

view from the hike of area near Cochabamba

The actual hike itself was beautiful and filled my soul up with the goodness of nature. We hiked through rolling green hills of grass and wildflower meadows, while looking back on the entire Cochabamba valley spread out below us. I kept getting glimpses of Colorado, from the lupine growing in hidden divets to the pines we stumbled upon, to the barren beauty of alpine tundra. Ryan and I spent most of the day on the mountain, but I was left wanting, yearning to explore more and discover what was "just over the next hill...." Little did I know that a week later, that yearning would be fulfilled!

in La Paz

Jen and I took and overnight bus with Ryan to La Paz the beginning of my spring break, and said goodbye to him at the La Paz airport. We spent the rest of the weekend exploring the city of La Paz, enjoying the unique architecture, striking geography, and fun quirks of discovering a new city. One of the highlights was watching the infamous "Cholita wrestling", which, in short, is indigenous women dressed in traditional garb, wrestling WWF style. It was a surreal experience, especially since this particular event has been highlighted in National Geographic and on the BBC news...

eating at one of the diverse restaurants
La Paz had to offer

the view of Coch from the mountain

Yesterday and today, I went on my first ever Bolivian backpack. It was probably one of the most rich and fun experiences I've had yet. As the youth group sports/activities coordinator, I had suggested we go on a youth group hike on Friday since it's a holiday here. The youth ran with it, and next thing I knew, we were going on a night backpack through the same terrain Ryan and I had covered the week before, but with a destination a good 1,000 ft. and several miles futher up and further in. The plan was to head up at night, leaving around 9pm and arriving at a lake called Wara Wara way back in the mountains.

wet, cold, and still loving it

Eight of us ended up going: me and Andreina, my good friends Humberto and Reynaldo, as well as Mauricio, Javier, Miguel, and Hernan. When we started out, it had been raining all day, soaking the tall grass and turning the clay dirt into a slip-n-slide. It wasn't long until we reached the fog and clouds hanging down low, and quickly soaked our clothing. Bolivians are a lot more laid-back about backpacking, carring only a few blankets and a Pepsi for the whole trip. Even though I was more weighed down, I was grateful for extra dry layers, a rain jacket, and my headlamp when we finally arrived at the lake at 1:30am.

we stayed nice and warm w/ lots of blankets!

Our plan was to sleep out, and none of us had a tent, so we were pretty miserable when we reached the lake completely soaked, in the drizzling rain at 13,000+ft with no viable shelter. Humberto sweet talked a man who lived on the side of the lake to let us stay in an extra building he had, and we were delighted to find out that the building actually had BEDS! We pushed all the beds with their straw mattresses together in one room, piled all our blankets on, and squeezed 8 people onto 3 mattresses (I had to share ONE mattress with 3 other people!!). Even though it was a bit squished, it was a really neat time of getting to know the youth better, building stronger relationships, and learning how to really encourage each other.

After a communal prayer, lots of shoving and laughing, we settled in to a quiet night under a tin roof in the Andes. As the rain drummed on the roof overhead, I felt overwhelmed by God's provision and His goodness. If He hadn't provided that room, I don't know what we would have done. He put each piece of our trip into place, showing me over and over that His sovereignty is more than I could ever dream or imagine.

Mauricio, Reynaldo, Javier, Hernan
Humberto & me
(the lake in the background)

This morning, we reluctantly left our warm nest of blankets and braved the rain again, choosing to go down a much longer but much safer route, returning to our homes mid-afternoon. I still can't believe that the group of people I'm closest to here are youth who enjoy backpacking and hiking!!! God really knows what's deepest and closest to my heart.
Humberto, me, Mauricio, Javier, Miguel
in our humble abode

Here's a collage of pictures from some of my trips the last week or so. Click and enjoy!

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